SCREENINGS
Back to Bucha's Florida Premiere!
A weekend of screenings in Lake Worth, FL begins at the premiere at the Lake Worth Playhouse on Friday, December 15th at 6:00 PM.
A weekend of screenings in Lake Worth, FL begins at the premiere at the Lake Worth Playhouse on Friday, December 15th at 6:00 PM.
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A couple weeks ago, we previewed Back to Bucha for a group of parishioners at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake Worth Beach. It got a unanimous thumbs up!
Rev. Cori Olsen
So much so that Reverend Cori Olsen and I reached out to the Lake Worth Playhouse’s Stonzek Theatre just down the street to expand on the church’s screening capabilities and have arranged a weekend of screenings beginning with Back to Bucha’s Florida Premiere on Friday evening at 6:00 PM. The first of several such screenings being planned over the coming months, I am excited to have our Florida premiere in such a great venue where I will introduce the film and lead the Q&A afterwards.
There is no charge to attend the premiere screening though donations are encouraged with net proceeds being shared with the Bucha based non-profit Ya Buchanec.
Additional screenings of the film will be held throughout the weekend with showtimes at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 in the afternoon on Saturday plus two screenings on Sunday at 1:00 and 3:00. Tickets are $9 with proceeds going to support Ya Buchanec, the film, and the playhouse. For more about the weekend screenings click here.
This is a great opportunity to support Ukraine the entire weekend. Come out and join us!
Click here to register for the Premiere event.
There is no charge to attend the premiere screening though donations are encouraged with net proceeds being shared with the Bucha based non-profit Ya Buchanec.
Additional screenings of the film will be held throughout the weekend with showtimes at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 in the afternoon on Saturday plus two screenings on Sunday at 1:00 and 3:00. Tickets are $9 with proceeds going to support Ya Buchanec, the film, and the playhouse. For more about the weekend screenings click here.
This is a great opportunity to support Ukraine the entire weekend. Come out and join us!
Click here to register for the Premiere event.
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Back to Bucha – Fall Tour
We are taking our uplifting film about Ukraine’s Spirit across America to raise awareness, entertain, and inspire audiences - all while raising funds for Ukraine.
Prior Screenings
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Lancaster, PA – Tuesday, October 24th at 7:00 PM EDT
The Lancaster screening at Grandview Church was a wonderful event that shows the level of support Ukraine enjoys even with a game-7 by the beloved Phillies competing with the Q&A session. Proceeds from the event went to the Ukraine War Refugee Aid Fund, an aid project that is supported by Bethany Slavic Church in Ephrata. https://www.bethanyslavic.org/pages/ukraine-aid-fund. |
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Boston, MA – Sunday, October 1st at 12:30 PM EDT
Our long-awaited screening at the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Jamaica Plain was the first Orthodox Church to screen the film. We were also honored that Sasha Romantsova, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize, conducted the Q&A after the film. Additionally, Liubimyr Janov, the head of Bucha’s Youth Council and featured in the film, joined us live from Ukraine via Zoom. We were once again very fortunate that the film’s soundtrack composer Valeriia Vovk also performed. 50% of the net proceeds from the film are going to Ya Buchanec, a Bucha based non-profit. |
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Claremont, NH – Saturday, September 30th at 4:00 PM
The tour began at the beautiful Claremont Opera House on a very big screen at the “Stand With Ukraine” event put together by the Sugar River Rotary. We premiered the new 30-minute version which really gets to the essence of the film – moms and kids coming back home. The film’s soundtrack composer Valeriia Vovk also performed. |
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Back to Bucha's 1-Hour Version Premiered in Huntsville on June 4th.
"Our family just viewed the Alabama premiere of Back to Bucha at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. We loved the documentary and we are thankful that Steve Richards found the time to visit our campus and share his artful creation with us. The documentary was powerful and educational, from a perspective that only a boots on the ground approach can provide. I recommend this documentary to Ukrainians, American-Ukrainians, and Americans who wish to walk in the streets of Bucha, Kyiv, and Lviv and get an insightful discussion with the Ukrainians impacted by this war. I can recommend this film to all ages of audience, the context was not graphic, but rather an insight into personal, religious, family challenges." - Tony Taylor, Huntsville, AL
Texas Premiere was held at the Lake Travis Community Library on July 14th
After 2,500+ miles across six states (GA, SC, NC, TN, AR, TX) and 16 awesome churches (and counting) on my email list (See the stops on our Facebook page at TheoEcoOrg) on my promotional Scouting Tour of the South and Texas for Back to Bucha I am very much looking forward to the film's Austin screening on Friday, July 14th at the Lake Travis Community Library. There is no charge to attend the screening though donations are encouraged with 50% of the net proceeds going to: Liberty Ukraine and Bear Witness. To register for the screening and make donations click here.
After 2,500+ miles across six states (GA, SC, NC, TN, AR, TX) and 16 awesome churches (and counting) on my email list (See the stops on our Facebook page at TheoEcoOrg) on my promotional Scouting Tour of the South and Texas for Back to Bucha I am very much looking forward to the film's Austin screening on Friday, July 14th at the Lake Travis Community Library. There is no charge to attend the screening though donations are encouraged with 50% of the net proceeds going to: Liberty Ukraine and Bear Witness. To register for the screening and make donations click here.
Steve Richards and friends at the Trek to Bucha premiere at Viktoria Park Hotel in Bucha, February 5, 2023
Screen Back to Bucha for Your Group
All screenings are hosted by the film's director Steve Richards. Screenings can take place at churches, community centers, film festivals, universities and partner sponsored events both in person and virtually. So, if you have a group that wants to be entertained, informed, and inspired – we'd love to welcome you to the tour!
These are donation driven events. Which means that while there is no charge to attend, we do welcome donations to cover our costs for the events and the film. We also share half of a screening's net proceeds (after food, travel, venue costs, etc.) with foundations and charities that support Ukraine. So, everyone that donates supports the film and Ukraine directly! And the film's interviewees largely speak English making it ideal for American audiences.
All screenings are hosted by the film's director Steve Richards. Screenings can take place at churches, community centers, film festivals, universities and partner sponsored events both in person and virtually. So, if you have a group that wants to be entertained, informed, and inspired – we'd love to welcome you to the tour!
These are donation driven events. Which means that while there is no charge to attend, we do welcome donations to cover our costs for the events and the film. We also share half of a screening's net proceeds (after food, travel, venue costs, etc.) with foundations and charities that support Ukraine. So, everyone that donates supports the film and Ukraine directly! And the film's interviewees largely speak English making it ideal for American audiences.
How it Works
What’s required of your group? Basically, just screening facilities (for in-person events), and promotional assistance. Refreshments are optional. Don’t have a screen? A/V equipment can be arranged. So, make it an event and invite the broader community. Here’s all that’s necessary:
Virtual Guests from Ukraine
We are very fortunate to be able to offer the participation of some of the film's "stars" virtually from Ukraine if the screenings are held early enough in the day (Kyiv is six hours ahead). This includes clergy, mothers, students, and others from the film which you get a glimpse of in the trailer.
Virtual Screenings
We love events in person but it's not always practical to bring a large group together. It can also be more economical and time efficient to screen the film virtually. So, we will also be holding virtual screenings, complete with Q&A, online fundraising, and optional livestreams of the event. The option is yours, in person or online!
What’s required of your group? Basically, just screening facilities (for in-person events), and promotional assistance. Refreshments are optional. Don’t have a screen? A/V equipment can be arranged. So, make it an event and invite the broader community. Here’s all that’s necessary:
- Set a date
- Print invites and post on social media
- Send a few emails
- Have a great event!
- 50% of net proceeds go to a Ukrainian support organization(s) you choose.
Virtual Guests from Ukraine
We are very fortunate to be able to offer the participation of some of the film's "stars" virtually from Ukraine if the screenings are held early enough in the day (Kyiv is six hours ahead). This includes clergy, mothers, students, and others from the film which you get a glimpse of in the trailer.
Virtual Screenings
We love events in person but it's not always practical to bring a large group together. It can also be more economical and time efficient to screen the film virtually. So, we will also be holding virtual screenings, complete with Q&A, online fundraising, and optional livestreams of the event. The option is yours, in person or online!
Back to Bucha Premiered in Boston on Sunday April 30, 2023
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Trailer
Check out the trailer by clicking here! |
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What we see in the film...
Like the USA Ukraine is a largely Christian nation (Ukrainian Orthodox mostly with a large segment of Ukrainian Greek Catholics), though all the major religions are represented (President Zelensky is Jewish, for instance). Unlike the USA there are relatively few Protestants, though I did find a Charismatic church forced online by the war, a Lutheran church with a lady pastor in Kyiv, even a Presbyterian minister from Dallas leading a Reformed congregation in Lviv!
All in all, though Ukrainian Christians see the world very much in unity when it comes to the war. The Ukrainian Orthodox community has broken with the Russian Orthodox church. Ukraine is an ecumenical laboratory as described to me by Father Roman Nebozhuk, a priest at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. We get a glimpse of him in the trailer where we also meet his daughter Andriana who gives us a tour of a Kyiv Kindergarten and its bomb shelter.
Ukraine is a nation much like the USA in terms of the practical nature of Christendom that thrives there. Like the USA most were raised Christian. Also, like Americans most don’t go to church regularly though many do. I definitely attended some packed services while I was there.
What I was most struck by were the moms I encountered talking about God and how He is looking out for them. Women are the biggest difference between now and last Spring. They are back. Why? Because they want to raise their kids in their own homes in their own country. It is safe enough except for those on the front lines, notwithstanding the ongoing missile attacks. Children go to school; grocery stores are stocked; shops are open. You can see a movie, get your hair done, and go to restaurants. Rebuilding has begun – especially noticeable in Bucha.
All in all, Back to Bucha is a hopeful and inspiring film that provides an insight into the Christians and broader spirituality of its citizens with the backdrop of the ongoing war's realities.
For more go to the Director's Statement by clicking here.
Like the USA Ukraine is a largely Christian nation (Ukrainian Orthodox mostly with a large segment of Ukrainian Greek Catholics), though all the major religions are represented (President Zelensky is Jewish, for instance). Unlike the USA there are relatively few Protestants, though I did find a Charismatic church forced online by the war, a Lutheran church with a lady pastor in Kyiv, even a Presbyterian minister from Dallas leading a Reformed congregation in Lviv!
All in all, though Ukrainian Christians see the world very much in unity when it comes to the war. The Ukrainian Orthodox community has broken with the Russian Orthodox church. Ukraine is an ecumenical laboratory as described to me by Father Roman Nebozhuk, a priest at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. We get a glimpse of him in the trailer where we also meet his daughter Andriana who gives us a tour of a Kyiv Kindergarten and its bomb shelter.
Ukraine is a nation much like the USA in terms of the practical nature of Christendom that thrives there. Like the USA most were raised Christian. Also, like Americans most don’t go to church regularly though many do. I definitely attended some packed services while I was there.
What I was most struck by were the moms I encountered talking about God and how He is looking out for them. Women are the biggest difference between now and last Spring. They are back. Why? Because they want to raise their kids in their own homes in their own country. It is safe enough except for those on the front lines, notwithstanding the ongoing missile attacks. Children go to school; grocery stores are stocked; shops are open. You can see a movie, get your hair done, and go to restaurants. Rebuilding has begun – especially noticeable in Bucha.
All in all, Back to Bucha is a hopeful and inspiring film that provides an insight into the Christians and broader spirituality of its citizens with the backdrop of the ongoing war's realities.
For more go to the Director's Statement by clicking here.
"Back to Bucha is a snapshot of Ukraine's resilience at the most human level: lives, livelihoods, and homes being rebuilt, religious faiths of all types being tested and strengthened, families, including with children, adjusting to the new..."normal." - Alex Gamota, President, Bear Witness
Our Partners
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Ukrainian Catholic University
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In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance. - Phillis Wheatley - 1774